14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced the acquisition of Simplygon, a Sweden-based company that’s focused on developing automatic 3D data-optimization solutions.
While the company hasn’t revealed specific terms of the deal, it goes without saying that Simplygon can support Microsoft’s investments in the 3D space. Microsoft has made 3D a big deal at the firm’s late October event, with the upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update itself being specifically focused on this unexplored world.
Microsoft says in an announcement that, with its new acquisition, it can finally enable “3D for everyone,” clearly hinting that technology developed by Simplygon can make it to its products in the coming months and years.
“Simplygon’s technology and talent will strengthen our position in 3D creation, making it easier to capture, create and share in 3D. It builds on and extends our aspirations to empower a new wave of creativity with the Windows 10 Creators Update, Paint 3D and our online creator community at Remix3D.com,” the company said.
Simplygon leaders to join Microsoft
Simplygon’s leadership team, which includes CEO Matt Connors, founder and CTO Ulrik Lindahl, and co-founder Koshi Hamedi, will join Microsoft as part of the acquisition and will be directly involved in 3D content creation.
“From our early days delivering advanced level-of-detail solutions, to the adoption of Simplygon SDK by most leading AAA game development studios, and our more recent expansion into enterprise AR/VR, Simplygon has made automatic 3D data-optimization increasingly more accessible to developers. Our next challenge is 3D For Everyone, the ultimate accessibility! We’re thrilled to join forces with Microsoft to make this happen,” the two said in a separate announcement.
3D content is playing an essential role in Microsoft’s long-term strategy, and companies like Simplygon are supposed to help the software giant make its push more efficient. The Windows 10 Creators Update, due in April, will include a new Paint 3D application replacing the traditional Paint that will enable content creators to build, manage, and access 3D projects without the need for third-party software.
At the same time, Microsoft is also developing new technologies that would make 3D content creation easier, while also investing in new technologies such as VR and AI that are becoming more widely-adopted across the world.